Stiffening material



July 10, 1945- F. w.` CHAMBERLAIN 2,379,881

STIFFENING MATERIAL Filed May '27, 1942 2' sheets-sheet 2 f JNVENTOA weder/LC ZU. mer/QU?! y wmf/a@ atented July' 10, 1945 i S'VIIFFENING MATERIAL Frederic W. Chamberlain, Three Gaks. Mich., as-

signor to The WarrenFeatherbone Co., Three Oaks, Mich.,.al corporation of Michigan Application May 27, 1942, Serial N0. 444,722

10 Claims.

This invention relates to stilening material suitable for various uses, including uses as a substitute for whalebone or metal in corsets, for use in airplanes, in costume jewelry and for other uses which require localized stilening at one or` more zones.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a'stifening material formed of a plu-1 rality of associated rod-like elements of Vrelatively small cross section permanently assembled together to provide a stiifening material of denite, predetermined shape and dimension andembodying the qualities of resiliency, tenacity, toughness, durability, lightness, cheapness and pro-` curability; to provide a relatively light stiffening material formed of a plurality of elongated cords bonded together in a manner such that the final material is light in weight, markedly resilient, tenacious and tough, has excellent fatigue strength, is resistant to moisture and acids, is odorless, noncombustible, rustproof and extremely durable; to provide these and other objects of invention as will be apparent from the perusal of the following specification when taken in` connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is illustrative of th'e various component parts of which one form of the iinal stilening material is made;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a feathersplint rod which comprises one of the ingredients of one form of the stiffening material;

Figure 3 is a View of one of the steps in the processing `of the material;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic showing of the heating step;

Figures 5 and 6 are subsequent views of the process;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of one of the completed stiiening units; s

Figure 8 is a `view of a further step in the process;

Figure 9 is a perspective `view of one of the componentparts which forms one type of stillening material;

Figure 10 is an enlarged perspective View of one of the stiffening material units when the unit includes feather splint rod as one of the structural units;

Figure 1l is a sectionon the line I l-l I of Figure l0;

Figure l2 is a view of two of the units shown in Figure l0 permanently united to form a doubly wide unit; Y i

Figure 13 is another nform of the invention when two typesof reslnous rods are used;

Figure 14 is a cross sectiontaken on the line` |4--I4 of Figure 13; and l i Figure 15 is a view of a double unit like that shown in Figure 12.1- Y l The stiening material of this invention may be formed in two different ways. First, the stiflening material may be composed of acombination of rods or cords of elastic feather splint bundles and elongated rods of relatively small cross section formed' of a vinylidene chloride resin composition which possess tenacity and durability whereby to supplement the elasticity of the feather splint rods to form a very elastic l stiffener possessing markedresistance to bending fatigue. In another form the stiffening material kmay comprise an assembly of elongatedrods of` relatively small cross section including one or more rods formed of a vinylidene chloride resin` wherein the stiffening material is Aformed by combining cords or rods 2 of feather splint bundles which have outstanding resiliency and flexibility, with cords or small rods 4 formed of vinylidene chloride resin compositions possessing both tenacity and toughness` andexcellent fatigue strength. `Thus is secured an ultimate stifiening material having the proper balance of basic material which not only combines the desirable qualications of each one of th'ese constituent rodsmin a manner such thatthe qualifications of one type of rod supplement and augment those of the other so that in the ultimate there is produced a stillen- Ving material whichis at once not only resilient,

but also possesses marked characteristics of durability and resistance t'o bending fatigue, which is not possessed in such marked amount `b`y the` feather splint rod material and whereby such stiffening material will serve as an excellent substitute, for instance, for steels in the wearing apparel industry. In making a stiffening material of the type shown in Figures 1 to 11 the feather splint cord or rod is used'in conjunction f with the vinylidene chloride resinous rod. The

feather spling cord or rod is composed of elon-` gated splints or fibers 6 ofthe quill portion of lsplint rod. Figure 1 shows theserquill portions as being held togeth'er by a spirally wound thread 8 to form the flexible feather splint rod or cord. In addition there is used an equal length of rod of relatively small cross section, substantially the same cross section as the feather splint cord, the same being formed of a vinylidene chloride resin composition. In the embodiment shown in Figures l to lione vinylidene chloride rod is used with each pair of feather splint rods, the reslnous rod 4 being placed between the two feather splint rods or cords 6. As thus placedth'e three assembled rods or` cords placed side by side are united by thread windings ID arranged in crossed formation, somewhat after the manner of braiding but without interlacing, except that these threads may be interlaced if desired. This covering is preferably formed along and between each of the strands of rods, preferably by means of a lock stitch I I so as firmly to interlock the covering with the strands of feather splintand resinous material, thereby preventing its raveling or disintegration by breaking or cutting. The feather splint rod and the resin rod may be formed of any lengths. They may be continuous lengths A if desired, or may be formed of relatively shorter lengths. They are preferably of continuous lengths so that the finished section, as shown in Figure 2, is of a continuous length which adapts it to the glue sizing operation shown in Figure 3 because after the three component 'rods of the stiffening material have been stitched together in the form shown in Figure 2, the same, as a continuous length and running directly from the stitching machine, is passed by continuous feeding mechanism through the sizing bath' I2 of Figure 3. There may be one or more of these baths arranged in succession in the plane of feed of the material shown in Figure 3. Preferably the material is given four immersions in the glue, in any desired manner. From the glue sizing tank I2 the material then passes to a heating station where it is fed through a heating chamber I4 which may be either electrically or steam heated, so as to raise the glue size material to a temperature substantially equal to the boiling point of water. This heating operation dries the glue and likewise softens the exterior of the feather splint material and also the vinylidene chloride material. From the heating operation the sized and heated and stitched assembled rods' then pass through a tongue and groove combination rolling die I8 having a base set to square the material as shown in Figure 5 whereby to give it the approximate ultimate shape shown in Figure 7. Following this rolling operation or similar operation, the material is then immersed in a waterproofing material I8 such as any desired waterproofing solution, and thereafter the waterproofed, assembled rod is then passed through a final tongue and groove combination 20 to finally set and-square the finished product to the form shown in Figure '7.

In connection with foregoing process it is found also.

that the glue sizing causes the thread to adhere to the fibers of the feather splint rods and vinylidene chloride rod and also fills up the small interstices between the splints or fibers in the feather splint rods so that when th'e latter is thoroughly cooled and dried it unites very firmly with the splints or fibers of the feather splint rods and connects the thread very tightly to it Frequently when the rods of pulled feather splint and vinylidene chloride are passed through the heating chamber the heating is sufficient to soften the sizing, and also the quills or splints and vinylidene chloride rod sufficiently to make them pliable and easy to bend. In addiltion, by heating the vinylidene chloride rod in the manner set forth, when the finished material is passed through the tongue and groove rolling operation the binding and stitching cords will be slightly imbedded in the surface of the somewhat softened vinylidene chloride rods so that on cooling, the threads will be vslightly imbedded in the surface of the rods whereby to hold the same in assembled position. Furthermore, after the feather splint and vinylidene chloride material cools it regains all of the desirable qualities that it had prior to heating. In addition, the heating step, followed by the rolling steps of Figure 5, the Waterproofing step of Figure 6, and the final rolling step of Figure 8, causes the quill or splints in the feather splint bundles, the vinylidene chloride rods, the stitching and the sizing and the waterproofing material all to be crowded together into an elongated blade-like form so that the constituent parts are united to provide a continuous blade or cord of apparently one integral material and the fact that the materials are wound or stitched does not appear except on close inspection. The manner in which the threads are imbedded or pressed into the softened surface ofthe vinylidene chloride rods is shown in Figure 9. This imbedding action prevents any possible dislodgment of the rods relative to the remaining portions of the stiening material.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of one of th'e sections composed of a vinylidene chloride rod intermediate two feather splint rods, the same being stitched and bound and sized and waterproofed in the manner hereinbefore set forth. Figure 12 is a view showing two of the sections shown in Figure 10 stitched together to form a stiflenng material of double width. i

Figures 13, 14 and 15 show another formV of stiffening material wherein th elongated rods are all formed of vinylidene chloride resin compositions but wherein some of the rods differ in characteristics from the others. For instance in Figures 13 and 14 the central resinous rod 22 is copolymerization reaction by which they are formed.v For example, according to one procedure vinylidene chloride resins are produced which have marked qualities Aof pronounced resilience and elasticity and according to another the resins produced are characterized by toughness, tenacity and resistance to flexing fatigue. In all such instances these rods are resistant to acid and moisture, are waterproof, are odorless, are light, are capable of taking permanent, numerous colors, are durable and rustproof. In the illustration shown in Figure 13 central rod 22 of such pounding type of resin is selected as one having marked toughness, tenacity and resistance to flexing fatigue and the two outside rods 24 and 26 are likewise selected of a type of vinylidene chloride resin possessing resiliency and elasticity, preferably comparable to that of the feather splint rods, so that by assembling rods 22, 24 and `2B in wrapped and stitched formation, as described heretofore, `and then by processing them in the manner shown in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive, a stiffening material is provided, the base materials of which are formed wholly and completely of vinylidene chloride resin compositions. In Figure the double width sections of two of the sections of Figure 13 are shown asstitched together by an interlocking stitch in the manner hereinbefore described. In the construction set forth in Figures 13, 14 and 15 the treatment is identical to vbe a feather splint rod or a rod formed of a vinylidene chloride resin composition having such properties. In this latter instance the stiifening material so formed would be less resilient but have more pronounced characteristics of resistance to bending fatigue. By varying the number of'rods any adjusted combination of these characteristics may be provided for the stiffenin material.

By vinylidene chloride resin compositionsl mean any resin compositions having a vinylidene` chloride resin base or consistingl ofa vinylidene chloride resin or a mixture of different vinylidene chloride resins and by "vinylidene chloride resin I mean simple polymers of vinylidene chloride or modied polymers, such as copolymers or interpolymers,` or other types of modiiied polymers of vinylidene chloride, for example. a resinous material formed by polymerizing vinylidene chloride in the presence of another polymerizable material such as vinyl chloride or in the presence of an unpolymerizable material. Moreover, .the vinylidene chloride resin compositions may include plasticizers, coloring materials andV other comlngredients. Also while vinylidene chloride resin compositions have been found to give excellent results in the stiifening materials described herein and are thus preferred, it Will be understood that it is within the scope of ,the invention to substitute for the vinylidene chloride resin compositions either Wholly or` in part, other resins or resin compositions possessing analogous properties.

It is thought that the invention and numerous of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing illustrative description and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacriiicing any of its attendant advantages, the form herein described being a preferred embodiment for the purpose of` illustrating the invention.

Having thus described Vthe invention, what is claimed as new and desired` to be secured by Letters Patent is: i

` 1. A stiffening material comprising overlapping splints of quills `of `feathers secured together in substantially parallel overlapping relation `to providea cord or rod-like elongated element and an elongated tough rod formed offa vinylidene chloridegresincomposition, said resinous `rod being resistant to flexure fatigue and said rods being suitably bound together, sized and shaped to desired cross section. ,l i

2. A stiffening material comprising at least three elongated rods of relatively small. cross section juxtaposed in spaced, substantially, parallel relation and having superficial grooves, threadlike exible tenuous binding means lying in the grooves and binding the rods together, said rods and enveloping binding means carrying a coat-` ing of sizing to produce a shape' of desired cross section to the stiieningmaterial, at least one of the rods being resilient and at least two of the rods being tough, tenacious and resistant to exure fatigue.

3. A stiffening material comprising elongated rods disposed in spaced, substantially,` parallel relation and bound together by thread-like material, the interstices between said rods and said thread binding material 'being filled with sizing and withcertain of the threads being somewhat imbedded in the outer portions of the rod-like material, said rod-like material being composed wholly of a vinylidene chloride resin composition f and said material possessing inherent resiliency and inherent toughness and resistance to flexure d fatigue.

4. A stiffening material including substantially parallelly disposed rods of relatively small cross` section interbound by cords, the interstices between the rod-like material being lled with sizing and said material being shaped to predetermined cross section, certain off saidfrods being markedly flexible and resilient andother of `said rods being tough, tenacious, and possessing resistance to flexure fatigue, said rods being formed of vinylidene chloride resin compositions.

5. A stiifening `material comprising' aty least three lsubstantially parallel rods of relatively,"

small crossv section bound together by a thread, sized and shaped` to predetermined cross section, all of said rods being formed of vinylidene chloride resin compositions, the central rod possessn ing inherent flexibility `and resilience and the other rods possessing inherent toughness and resistance to exure fatigue.`

6. A stiffening material composed of a plurality l of substantially. parallel rods, flexible tenuous material binding the rods together, the interstices of the tenuous material androds being iilled with sizing and said rods, tenuous material and sizing` being shaped todesired cross section, one of said rods being a vinylidene chloride resin composi` tion and having portions of the tenuous binding material somewhat imbedded in the exterior surfaces thereof, said stilfening material being ilexible, resilient, tough and resistant to ilexure` fatigue.

7. A stiffening material of elongated'strands of different types of vinylidene chloride resin compositionsshaped to desired cross section, certain of the strands possessing inherent resilience and flexibility and certain of the strands possessing toughness and resistance to ilexure fatigue, said strands being suitably compacted and maintained in compacted, substantially integral relation.

8. A stiiiening material including elongated bodies of vinylidene chloride resin composition of relatively small cross section and disposed in substantially parallel relation, at least one of said bodies being markedly exible and resilient, and

another ol said bodies being a tough, tenuous, vinylidene chloride resin composition resistant to iiexure fatigue. Y Y

9. A stiffening material including elongated bodies of relatively small cross section disposed in substantially parallel relation, at least one of said bodies being markedly flexible and resilient, and the other of said bodies being a tough, tenuous, vinylidene chloride resin composition resistant to flexure fatigue.

10. A stiffening material including a plurality of elongated rods disposed in substantially parallel relation suitably bound together, sized and shaped to provide an elongated body of relatively Y small cross section, one of said rods being markedly resilient, and another of said rods being markedly less resilient than the rst mentioned rod, said second mentioned rod being tough and possessing inherent resistance to flexure fatigue, one of said rods being composed of synthetic resin. Y

Y FREDERIC W. CHAMBERLAIN. 

